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Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Just last night, I was in the hospital with a family who had lost a loved one. It was a heartbreaking situation to witness, and the family was obviously devastated at this loss. As I was pondering words of comfort for them, I kept thinking, “God, this just doesn’t make sense.” I believe every single one of us has been through, are living in, or will soon experience a season in life when God doesn’t seem to make sense. Why did our loved one have to die? Why did this illness happen to me? Why did we have to go through this challenge or that issue? We start Help us clean up our mailing list. to think, “Hey God, I’m a good person, I attend church, I do right by others, I read Scripture and I pray daily.

Please let us know if you are receiving multiple copies or no longer wish to receive this newsletter. Where were You on that one?” Now the challenge really comes in, when we are fully aware that God is able to care for our need, but doesn’t. We may be praying that God shows up in a situation, but it doesn’t seem to be (740) 453-4192 | [email protected] happening. We have all experienced times in life where God doesn’t make sense. You may also request the email newsletter.

In June, we are going to be living in a sermon series that looks at moments in our life when God doesn’t make

sense. There are times when God seems inattentive. We are praying, believing, and trusting that God is going to

show up, but He doesn’t show up in our time of need. John the Baptist can relate to this as one of Jesus’ greatest

advocates, yet he was left to rot in prison and was eventually beheaded.

There are times when God seems to be late. We needed God to do a thing in a specific time frame and yet the time for Him to act is gone and it feels like all hope is lost. I’m sure Mary and Martha could relate to that as they watched their brother, Lazarus, die when they knew Jesus (a great friend of the family) could have healed him.

There are times when God seems uncooperative. We have all had something that we seem to keep stumbling on in our life, and it just feels like those things keep happening over and over again. Do you ever feel like you just can’t catch a break and wonder if, or why, God seems to be messing with you? I’m sure the apostle Paul can relate. He was shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, wrongfully imprisoned, and had troubles and trials that just didn’t seem to go away. In fact, he described a persistent challenge in his life as a “thorn in his flesh”. There are countless examples of people in Scripture experiencing seasons of life when God doesn’t make sense.

I’m looking forward to sharing this sermon series with you and opening up God’s Word together to experience the hope we have in Jesus Christ. If you are discouraged, I believe you will find God’s encouragement in this series, perhaps in a way that you haven’t felt for some time. As we look at these folks in the Bible and their real- life struggles, I pray that God builds our faith to trust in times of uncertainty. I pray He grows our belief that He has our life in His hands. I believe you have friends and neighbors who struggle with these very issues and would benefit greatly from this series. Take the opportunity to invite someone to come with you who is desperate for hope, belief, and faith in our amazing God – even when He doesn’t make sense. It is going to be a powerful month!

Blessed & Barefoot, Pastor John

June Birthdays & Anniversaries Heal Our Land

…if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 June Birthdays June Anniversaries

The last several decades have brought continual challenges and moral decay to the landscape we truly and sincerely 2 Tim Collins, Gary Handshy, Judy Richardson 1 Jason & Lara Bunting call the “land of the free”. Along with the challenges and decay, still stands a church poised to follow God’s Word. 3 Amy Reed 3 Burl & Brenda Lemon With this posture, we will present “Heal Our Land,” an evening of worship, praise, and prayer for this great 4 Christina Johnson, Kelly Morrow 4 David & Sally Birkimer land of ours. 5 Chris Balsley, Kevin Jones Charlie & Beulah Strickler

6 Heather Moorehead, DJ Pierce 5 Gary & Sharon Stall Sunday evening, July 10 @ 6:00 PM – Rolling Plains Worship Center 7 Dee Welsh 6 Kevin & Teresa Bailey 8 Julia Evans 7 Troy & Jordin Harmer May we join our hearts and prayers together in seeking God’s favor and direction for our United States of America 8 Robert & Anita Allard 11 Cecelia Dorr, Orlo Freshly (wear your red, white and blue in support!). 12 Danielle Seastrand Craig & Lindsay Wilson 13 Ric Roush 10 Dave & Terra Armstead Presented by the Worship Choir and the Rolling Plains Prayer Ministry 14 Sally Birkimer, Connie Fink, Tom Hatfield Denny & Valerie Mozena 16 Megan Duff, Mallory Spring 12 Alan & Kathe King 13 Thomas & Heather Ferguson 17 Debbie Swingle Prayer Ministry 20 Erin Alice, Kelly Morrison, JoAnn Paisley 14 Rick & Barb Knox 21 Judy Martin 16 Joe & Nikole Daniels Many of us have had a learning experience through the showing of the War Room movie and follow-up of Pastor 22 Matt Starrett 18 Neil & Lindsey Cornett John's sermon series on the power of prayer. Several of us also took advantage of the War Room Bible Study, 23 Charles Corder, Sam Finck Dave & Gaylin Higdon th rd which ended on May 15 , and the Battle Plan for Prayer Bible Study, which ended on May 23 . If you missed 24 Brenda Lemon 19 Fred & Missy Beckert Tim & Cathy Collins these Bible Studies and are interested in participating at a later date, please use the back of your Connection Card 25 Rita Bonifield, Marci Jones to let us know of your interest. 26 Lynn Fazakas, Sonnie Karr, Kelly Lee Tim & Janet Trout 27 Rebecca Smith 22 Matthew & Laura Walser Here is what's happening with the Prayer Ministry: 28 Linda Kinner 23 Don & Mary Rice Chad & Heather Stoltz On Saturday, May 28th members of our church family met at Putnam Hill Park to pray over our city and 30 Shelia Weaver • 24 Mike & Sue Demp county. Adam & Erika Pontious • Every Thursday morning at 7:00 AM, we meet to pray for the church, community, and for whatever the June Highlights: Randy & Melissa Spring Holy Spirit leads us. It's a great way to start your day by praying in agreement with brothers and sisters 26 Gary & Billijean Ball in Christ. not a fan. Joe & Frances Martin On the first of June our church will be doing a devotional, Not a Fan, which will take us through most of • June 1 | Begin reading John & Crystal Swope the summer. We at Rolling Plains desire to be Followers of Christ, not just fans. Randy & Cori Wilkes • The Prayer Team is also suggesting that our church can pray corporately (together in agreement) every KidStuf Bob & Jennifer Ziel day. How are we going to do that? Every day at 7:40 PM you can either pray as the Holy Spirit guides June 5 | 9:45 AM 27 Matt & Lauren Wood you, or set aside time to read your Not a Fan Daily Devotional as a family! I believe God will bless you 28 Shawn & Shauntae Bash individually, as a family, and corporately as a church!! Graduation/Scholarship Sunday 29 Mathew & Inzie Browning Mike & Cathy Shaeffer June 5 | 8:15, 9:45 & 11 AM We will be introducing a fun event for the church as we go forward, praying for everyone without ceasing. On Don & Becky Sharkey th th 30 Jordy & Sadie Anderson June 26 , we will be having a Prayer Wave in the Putnam area; on July 10 , we will be collaborating with the Community Breakfast choir for a patriotic event; and in August (after the fair) the church will be having a county-wide prayer walk at Loren & Helen Anderson all of our school districts. Watch for details for these events in the coming weeks. June 18 | 8:30 AM Pat & Dixie Murphy

Vacation Bible School Have a blessed summer and Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say Rejoice! If you do not see your birthday or anniversary at Bethel Community Center listed, we may not have all your information. Beth Jackson, Coordinator June 20-24 | 12-2 PM Please contact the office at 740-453-4192 to RP Prayer Ministry update your information. 740-297-6610 Putnam Prayer Wave

June 26 | 12:30 PM

August 19 & 20, 2016 @ Nationwide Arena, Columbus OH Feel like Sunglasses Previously known as Women of Faith

you're missing You desire to deepen your relationships and discover your passions. You care about purpose, vision, Sunscreen making connections and applying your faith to everyday life. You have big dreams. Flip-flops BELONG is a live event, bringing women together in arenas across the country. It’s an open something this invitation for you to carve out some intentional time for YOU. It’s where you will go to connect, reboot, and hear from remarkable communicators who have experienced God’s love in a profound ????? way. They will help you hone in on how to live a full, faith-filled, purposeful life. You’ll discover, dream, and have fun in the process. summer?

Tickets are $105.00 To purchase tickets, or for questions, please contact: Kelly Morrison (740) 221-0556 Chelsie Kim (740) 704-0281 Terra Armstead (740) 704-6144 Tickets will also be on sale at Rolling Plains on It's Jesus. Sunday, June 12 & Sunday, June 19.

United Methodist Women Pick up a copy of

Rolling Plains United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, June 21st at 4:00 PM in the Embers Room. Our program theme for this year is a study of the Beatitudes. Come join us for sharing, fellowship, and outreach opportunities.

and follow Jesus daily Journeyers, Here We Go Again!

We now have information available for our next trip to the Smoky Mountains. This will be a four-day, three- alongside your RP Church family... night trip. The dates are September 12-15, 2016. We will be seeing five spectacular shows, will enjoy some wonderful food, and will also tour the country around the Smoky Mountains. wherever you are this summer. The cost of the trip is $445.00 per person for doubles, $562.00 per person for singles, and $423.00 per person for triples. This includes the bus fare, lodging, most meals, and gratuities. We have had wonderful experiences with Books available at the Welcome Center for $8. the bus lines and the drivers that get us to where we are going.

Once again, we will be traveling with the folks from Coburn UMC. The trip to Lancaster is their first overnight trip. To begin, each church will have 24 spots to fill. There will be flyers at the Welcome Center. A deposit of $50 is due by June 14.

Central Trinity UMC has expressed an interest in joining us for a later trip. I can see that we are going to start taking two buses in the future. As a reminder, when the Journeyers travel, it is open to all adults, regardless of age. If you have any questions, please call me at 740-453-5849.

In His service, Pat Wiseman-Jones Children and Family Ministry He-brews Café

Summer is one of those times of the year when you hope to escape your normal day- Greetings from the Café! Things are hopping here every Sunday morning! Coffee, tea, juice, and lemonade, as to-day activities and head off on a family vacation. Perhaps you have a passport and well as cookies, cupcakes, and other sweet treats are being enjoyed by the congregation. Fellowship and hope to fill it with stamps and visas from around the world, or maybe you keep friendships are being developed. albums filled with photos from the places you’ve seen and the people you’ve met along the way. However, when you think about it, these aren’t just passport stamps and travel photos, they are stories capturing moments we We have a fantastic team that helps to keep things running, but we can use even more help – whether it is by have lived. As we travel the world and experience the different landscapes and cultures, often we can’t help but keeping things stocked on Sunday morning, helping clean up after service, or by baking cookies or other sweet notice that no matter where in the world we are, God is already there and up to something amazing. treats. If you feel led to help out in the café, contact Cathy Collins at 740-704-2213 or Erin Alice at 419-618- 3168. If you would like to bake sweet treats, contact Vickie Franklin at 740-297-1981. The prophet Isaiah writes, “The whole earth is filled with God’s glory,” and that glory was made real when two thousand and some years ago a REAL human was born, lived a perfect life, died, and rose again. Of course, that In His service, man is Jesus, and throughout the past two thousand years since, His story–His LIFE–has been changing the He-Brews Café Crew world!

This summer, we’re excited for kids to experience that life-changing story of Jesus first-hand and put their faith United Methodist Men in Him. We’ll talk about faith like this: Believing what Jesus did can change me. Our hope is that our kids will discover, no matter where they are in the world, that the story of Jesus can change them, too. There is not much to report on the United Methodist Men’s front this month. We have concluded our flower bulb WEEK 1 sale and by the time you have read this message the orders have been sent to the vendor. We’ll kick off the summer with an overview of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We want kids to understand that the Story of Jesus is not just a bunch of stories in the Bible, rather it’s a message of We are still meeting on the first Sunday of the month at 7:00 AM in the Embers Room. We would really like to salvation, for which He came to give the world. see more men attend. At one point in time, Rolling Plains had the largest United Methodist Men's group in the Bottom Line: The story of Jesus changes everything. district; it sure would be great to see that happen again.

WEEK 2 We are still hosting the Community Breakfast on the third Saturday of every month, so bring your neighbors to We’ll see what happened in Acts 9:1-25, when Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. RP for sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, hashbrown casserole, and some good old bluegrass music Bottom Line: The story of Jesus changes how I see Him. played by our own Gary Handshy, Ray Lavy, and some of their friends.

WEEK 3 In His service, We’ll continue Paul’s story in Acts 9:26-31, as we find out what happens when he goes to join up with the other Tim Collins, President Jesus followers he was known for persecuting. United Methodist Men Bottom Line: The story of Jesus changes how I see others.

WEEK 4 We’ll finish up June with passages in Acts 11 and 13. Paul and Barnabus head to Antioch as they discover that Thank you, to all those who supported our family following the death of our the message of Jesus is starting to spread to people outside of the Jewish community. mother, Marilyn Humphrey. Your prayers, visits, cards, offerings of food, Bottom Line: The story of Jesus changes how I help others. and your presence at the calling hours and funeral were appreciated more than you will ever know.

Heather Matarazzo, Director Blessings, Children & Family Ministry Kim & Doug Gabriel, Randy & Marilyn Humphrey [email protected]

Our next Kidstuf is Sunday June 5th at 9:45 AM. Kids, bring your families to learn about God! Congratulations to all of our RP graduates!

Coming soon to a bulletin near you… details of our Summer Family Fun Night Events. Join us as we celebrate Graduation/Scholarship Sunday: June 5th at all three services.

The Transformation of a Village Rolling Plains Youth

The Village of Grace is an astonishing witness of what God can do with willing hands, faithful hearts, and We are finishing a study on How Do I…? It asks the questions that we all have as treasures put into His hands. This community was once mocked for being so poor and run down, but the Christians. We have studied How do I spend time alone with God? and How do I faithful residents never ceased to worship and praise the God who provides. Today, walking through the village share my faith? We’ve had a really good discussion on praying for those who need is a much different experience than it was less than a year ago. us to share with them, by using our own personal story as to how we have encountered God in our lives, and then making sure we do not miss our opportunity to do so. As you enter the community now, you are greeted with a large white tin church with a red door. It has become a landmark in the area. People walking by sometimes stop to hear the sounds of praise and worship, or even a Preparations are in the works for the upcoming youth mission trip to Nashville, Tennessee. We are still looking showing of the Jesus film from the church’s many windows. A total of 160 houses have been built to replace for “partners” for each student. What that means is, I want all 22 people going to have someone here in our every single tent in the village. In the morning, if you get there early enough, you can see the school kids church matched up with each of them. During that week, the partner will be praying for the student and for how walking down the rows of houses in their freshly washed uniforms. Women go about their routine of fetching God will work in him or her that week. Also, and if applicable, that partner can choose to help support their water from the new well, now only feet from their door rather than a mile down the road. After they finish their student financially. Each kid is responsible for $350 for the total trip cost. They should all be working on support now, but they are high school kids with no jobs, and they need some help. All of them have given $75; cooking and laundry, they put their belongings neatly onto the shelves in their houses. They can lock their door some have given more. That is where the partners come in – first to pray for them, second (if possible) to give and head off to a job outside the home, unafraid their few possessions will be gone when they return. Some of financial support. Please pray with us and please help us promote finding partners for each person going on the the residents can be seen tending to their gardens. They take pride in making their new home beautiful, even trip. adding porches, an outdoor kitchen, or a showering area. This month, we will start a series on Mission, to prepare for our trip. By the time we leave on the 26th, our Children now play without fear of stepping onto dangerous trash, which has all be cleaned up by their own students will be well aware of what it means to Go, as Jesus called us to do in the Great Commission. When we community. What they don’t know yet is that a school will soon be built right in their own village. This school return, we will be getting involved in some local missions to continue our service. might take up a bit of space they now use as a soccer field, but it will be an opportunity for them to receive education that would never be available otherwise. In addition to the school will be a library filled with Creole I am also looking for mentors for the Youth Program. These are people who want to pour into a student. I have a books! mentor from my university that I talk to regularly and it is so refreshing to have those conversations. I want the same for our students here. If you want to be a mentor, or know someone who is interested, be sure to get in The transformation of the physical community might be the first thing we notice, but God’s work extends to the contact with me. spiritual. Everything built in this village is only temporary because “the world and its desires pass away” (1 John 2:17). The power of God and what He has done in the hearts of people in this village is no secondary thing. We As always, keep praying for us. Keep asking God to send us students to love on and for the ministry to keep witnessed hearts filled with hurt and anger, healed because they have released it to the Lord. Territory of Satan growing. Pray for God to send us to the places where students are, so we can reach them in their own setting. was pushed back because his chains were broken, he was cast out, and the Voodoo charms were destroyed and Lastly, thank you for your prayers for the ministry, but also personally for Magen and me. We really appreciate burned. Servants in Fellowship Ministries prayed with over 20 people as they confessed their sin and accepted them. Christ’s Salvation. The church leaders will continue leading people to Christ, as God’s Spirit works. God’s work isn’t finished yet, so neither is ours. Beau Dailey, Director Student Ministry Kris and Kendra Kemp [email protected]

Kemp Family Update: We have returned to the States for the summer and would love to tell you more about Rolling Plains Youth volunteered at Camp Presmont how we witnessed God in Haiti. We are still raising support for our family’s involvement in Haiti with Servants on Saturday, May 14, preparing the facility for in Fellowship Ministries. For more information or to connect with us, visit www.sifministries.org or read our another great camping season! blog at www.spiritledjourney.com. Bethel Community Center A Local Missional Outpost for Rolling Plains Mission in Motion: The church has left the building! CHRISTIAN SUPERHEROES IN TRAINING Mission in Motion is the people of Rolling Plains Church

putting their faith in action! Bethel – Rolling Plains VBS Partnership We believe in living out God’s commandment to “love our neighbor as This is our fourth year of a Vacation Bible School partnership between Bethel Community Center and ourselves” (Matthew 22:38). One of the ways we can live out loving our Rolling Plains. We are looking forward to this new curriculum, which was developed by Nationwide neighbor is through reaching out to the people in our community who are in need. Children’s Hospital and the Foothills District of the United Methodist Church.

This monthly initiative focuses on practical ways we can leave the church building and serve our VBS Focus: Building Healthy Relationships community. We will focus on community outreach in areas such as food and housing insecurity, and Our Methodist heritage is rooted in a strong concern for health, which is reflected in the current United by working alongside our area schools and homeless shelters. Each month will focus on a different Methodist commitment to “abundant health for all” in communities throughout the world. This VBS is an need, with opportunities to involve our church, families, friends, and neighbors to be the hands and effort to embark on a journey to improve health outcomes for all children and families in our region. Over the course of the week children will learn about ways they can love God with their entire heart. They will feet of Christ. We invite you bring your unchurched friends to experience the amazing works God also learn the importance of loving themselves emotionally and physically. The week will conclude with does through service. children learning to love their neighbor as themselves.

June Mission in Motion Focus: Bethel Community Center Dates: Monday – Friday, June 20-24 Grades: K-6 Bethel Community Center is located at 126 Ontario Street in the Putnam neighborhood of Zanesville. Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM They are working to bring hope and the love of Jesus to a neighborhood of people who are hurting. Location: Bethel Community Center, 126 Ontario Street, Zanesville During the school year, there is an after school program that helps children with reading and math. Registration: Forms will be available at Rolling Plains and Bethel. On the second Saturday of every month we have a message about God, a meal, and fun games for On-site registration is available on Monday, June 20. the family. This is the second summer for their community garden. Let’s shower Bethel with the love of God on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. There are indoor projects such as organizing Partner with us to provide this VBS books, crafts and cleaning. Outdoor projects include weeding, mulching, and general yard work. We need Team Leaders and Volunteers We are looking forward to seeing you at Bethel! Contact Melissa Lichtner at Bethel or Heather Matarazzo at Rolling Plains if you have a calling to invest in the spiritual, emotional, and physical development of our children, by being a leader or assistant. Melissa - (740) 297-4816 or [email protected] Heather - (740) 453-4192 or [email protected]

New Leadership at Bethel We are pleased to announce that effective June 1, 2016, Mrs. Melissa Lichtner will be the Executive Director of Bethel Community Center. She has served as Assistant Director since January and will lead us forward to the next level of growth, as we strive to love our neighbors in the Putnam community.

Local Missional Serving Opportunity Bethel is partnering with Zanesville City Schools to oversee the free lunch program at War Veterans’ Park from June 13 to August 5. Bethel volunteers will go to the park with games and activities around 10:00 AM to connect with the children, youth, and adults. Lunch is served at 11:00 AM. We help to oversee the lunchtime and clean up, and generally leave by 11:45 AM. You may select your day of the week to serve or sign up for any day(s) you are available. Contact Melissa Lichtner: 740-297-4816

Kay Miller Bethel Community Center